Education & E-Learning · head to head
Blackboard vs MasterClass
Blackboard
Education & E-Learning
Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions
- From
- $10/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks; MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
- They diverge on capability: Blackboard covers Course management, MasterClass covers High-quality video.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Blackboard and MasterClass actually diverge.
| Attribute | Blackboard | MasterClass |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10/year | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 2015 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education & E-Learning).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Blackboard
- Course management
- Assessment tools
- Discussion boards
- Virtual classroom
- Gradebook
- Mobile app
- Analytics
- Accessibility
Only in MasterClass
- High-quality video
- Workbooks
- Community
- Mobile apps
- Offline viewing
- Smart TV apps
- Session stories
- Smart TV platforms
Both cover
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Blackboard
- Course deliverynot MasterClass
- Student engagementnot MasterClass
- Assessmentnot MasterClass
- Virtual learningnot MasterClass
MasterClass
- Learning from expertsnot Blackboard
- Inspirationnot Blackboard
- Skill developmentnot Blackboard
- Entertainmentnot Blackboard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Blackboard
- User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks
- Slow response times and platform crashes when opening multiple tabs simultaneously
- Cannot track detailed student activity beyond most recent login information
- Limited ability to handle large file uploads for content and assignments
- Minimal customization options for page and template design
MasterClass
- Annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
- No instructor interaction or personalized feedback on student work
- No hands-on exercises, assignments, or peer discussion with other students
- Limited interactivity with focus on entertainment value over practical skill development
- Difficult to cancel subscription according to customer reviews
Pricing, plan by plan
Blackboard
$10/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.
MasterClass
On request- Individual$10/month
- All classes
- One device
- Mobile access
- Duo$15/month
- All classes
- Two devices
- Offline viewing
- Family$20/month
- All classes
- Six devices
- All features
Which should you pick?
Choose MasterClass if
- You need high-quality video.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want workbooks.
Questions people ask
- Is Blackboard or MasterClass better?
- Neither clearly leads. Blackboard starts at $10/year and MasterClass at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Blackboard or MasterClass?
- Blackboard starts at $10/year and MasterClass at On request.
- Does Blackboard or MasterClass run on more platforms?
- Blackboard runs on Web. MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Blackboard best used for?
- Blackboard is most often used for course delivery, student engagement, assessment, virtual learning. Of those, course delivery and student engagement are not what MasterClass is typically brought in for.
- What can Blackboard do that MasterClass cannot?
- Blackboard covers Course management, Assessment tools, Discussion boards, Virtual classroom. MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Blackboard: What does Blackboard LMS offer?
Blackboard is a learning management system that includes course management, assignment and gradebook tools, discussion forums, and analytics for tracking learner progress in online, hybrid, and in-person courses.
SourceMasterClass: What is the pricing structure for MasterClass?
MasterClass requires an annual membership with no single-course purchase option. Standard plan costs $10/month, Plus is $15/month with offline access, and Premium is $20/month for up to 6 devices.
SourceMasterClass: How many courses are available on MasterClass?
MasterClass has over 200 video classes taught by celebrities and experts, with each course containing approximately 20 videos of about 10 minutes each plus detailed workbooks.
SourceMasterClass: Does MasterClass provide certificates or formal credentials?
No. MasterClass does not provide certificates upon completing a course, so it does not offer formal recognition for course completion.
SourceMasterClass: Do MasterClass courses include personalized feedback from instructors?
No. All MasterClass courses are pre-recorded videos, so there is no direct interaction with instructors or personalized feedback on student work.
Source